Monday
Yom Shnee
26 Shevat 5785
February 24 2025
UPDATE 6:00 AM ISRAEL TIME
On the Hostage Front
*The casket containing the body of Shiri Bibas. She and her two children Kfir and Ariel will be buried today in Tzohar beside her parents (who were murdered by Palestinian savages on October 7).
May the memories of the Bibas family always be for a blessing.
*As noted yesterday, there are now 63 hostages, 36 who have been previously declared dead. Simple math suggests that 27 might still be alive.
However, the government came forward with a new estimate yesterday that there are only 21 live hostages remaining in Gaza—meaning that the 36 number should be increased to 42 dead.
There are no more living hostages to be released in Phase 1, but there are four more bodies to be released on Thursday–those of:
After their bodies are released, there will only be 59 hostages left in Gaza most of whom. as we saw above, are dead.
Interestingly, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff is returning to this area on Wednesday to (in his words) “try to extend phase one of the deal.”
In short, Israel wants to get the 21 live hostages out now and not wait for months for a Phase 2 and 3 that may not materialize.
On the Northern Fronts
*Defense Minister Katz revealed yesterday what we reported here last month. The IDF has built 2 outposts on the summit of the Syrian Mount Hermon and 7 outposts in the buffer zone with Syria. What Katz added was that the IDF will not allow Syrian forces to deploy between the outposts and Damascus.
*The IAF was busy in Lebanon yesterday:
–IAF jets flew over the stadium in Beirut where Nasrallah’s funeral was taking place sending some attendees into a panic (photos from the IAF):
–According to the IDF Spokesman: “the IDF conducted a precise intelligence-based strike on a military site containing rocket launchers and weapons in Lebanese territory, in which Hezbollah activity was identified. Additionally, several rocket launchers that posed an imminent threat to Israeli civilians were struck in the area of Baalbek and in southern Lebanon. There were a total of 4 separate strikes.
On the Ground in Judea and Samaria
*The IDF Spokesman:
“A report was received regarding several terrorists, armed with clubs, a knife, and stones, who attacked Israeli civilians near Dayr Dibwana and then fled the scene. During the incident, two Israeli civilians were injured and were evacuated to the hospital for medical treatment.
Upon receiving the report, IDF and Israel Police forces were dispatched to the scene. IDF soldiers conducted searches in Dayr Dibwana, where the attackers had fled.”
*Following the thwarted massive bus/metro attacks, the IDF moved tanks into the Jenin area and along with the ISA in Israel Police apprehended 26 terrorists and numerous weapons.
A Joint IDF and ISA Announcement:
“IDF, ISA, and Israel Police forces conducted counterterrorism activities in Judea and Samaria. As part of the counterterrorism operation in northern Samaria, the security forces continued their activities in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams, and expanded operations to other towns in the area of Jenin the morning (Sunday). Terrorists in the areas of Nablus, Qabatiya, and Deir Qaddis were also apprehended.”
*Another Joint IDF and Israel Police Announcement:
“During joint Israel Police and IDF activity, the security forces prevented a weapons smuggling attempt in the Jordan Valley area.
During the activity, approximately 15 M-16 rifles were confiscated, which were intended to be smuggled into Israeli territory. According to assessments, the weapons were intended to be used by criminal individuals or terrorist organizations, posing a threat to the citizens of the State of Israel.”
What In The World Are The Egyptians Up To?
In the past month, the Egyptians have moved heavy artillery, tanks, and large numbers of troops into the Sinai–in violation of the peace agreement with Israel.
In the past few days, Egyptian paragliders–similar to those used by Hamas on October 7–have filled the skies close to the Israel border:
The photos above are from the Egyptian Army (the last one shows a two-man glider with one person parachuting out). What are the Egyptians preparing for?
Snow Snow Everywhere
Well, almost everywhere. From the Carmel (where it last snowed 12 years ago):
Snowing hard in Misgav Am in the Galilee:
Obviously, the snow is heaviest on and around Mt. Hermon and throughout the Golan. It is snowing right now in Jerusalem.
And so it goes this morning here in Israel . . . so far . . .
A student from Malawi, who had worked with an Israeli health volunteer in his country battling AIDS, came up to us as we walked down the street in the UC-Davis Picnic Day Parade and wanted to carry the Israeli flag.